Can someone pull out of that paragraph what the correct spelling of “Decimus,” is?
;’)
Nobody here has made much mention of Cassius, he of the lean and hungry look, and dangerous. Also, the main reason was that “Caesar was ambitious.” The usual take is that he wanted total power in Rome. Then I read a two century old history book which gave me a very different perspective.
Early in Caesar’s career, he was part of the triumvirate, Pompey in the West (Spain/North Africa, Crassus in the East (Syria, Palestine, etc., and Caesar in the center (Rome and Europe). General Crassus was in his 50’s and eager to make a big name for himself before he got too old to lead troops. He decided to go after the Parthians (a BIG mistake, Google more). Cassius was a young officer with his troops. Crassus f***ed up in a number of ways, got himself and his son killed, and Cassius managed to round up about 10,000 troops and retreat to Syria which prevented the Parthians from taking that importance Roman province.
Fast forward 20 years to our assassination story. Caesar, who was now sole ruler of Rome (defeated Pompey, and Crassus dead), decided to enhance his glory by defeating the Parthians and restoring Rome’s honor and avenging that loss and death of Crassus et al. Having been there himself, Cassius knew this was a terrible idea, and very bad for Rome in general. Thus the plot to kill Caesar for too much ambition. Having now spent/wasted? much of our treasure in Afghanistan and Iraq, I think perhaps he was a wise and prescient plotter.